Comet 67P has a bad smell

October 27, 2014 10:58 AM

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The comet in space that has been under intense study since August, and is the aim of being landed on in November, ironically enough – has a very unique, and distasteful smell, according to scientists. Thankfully, humans will not have to encounter that – but the scientists discovered that if the mass was brought back to earth, or even a portion of it were brought back to earth, it would smell like rotten eggs, horse pee, alcohol, and bitter almonds.

One of the instruments aboard the Rosetta craft has detected some interesting chemical signatures from the comet. In fact, the molecules include ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde. All of which are known for their strong, and oppressive odors.